Mattress cleaning and venting method and system

ABSTRACT

A mattress cleaning and venting method and system, the system comprising at least one first inlet positioned on a side wall of the mattress; at least one first tube inserted within the mattress, the first tube having an open end, the open end being connected to the first inlet; the first tube comprising holes along a length thereof between the open connected to the first inlet end and an opposed end thereof within the mattress; wherein the first inlet is adapted for connection to one of a suction unit and a blowing unit.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/729,077, filed on Nov. 21, 2012. All documents above are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dust mites feed on organic detritus such as flakes of shed human skin and flourish in the stable environment of dwellings. House dust mites are a common cause of asthma and allergic symptoms worldwide. The mite's gut contains potent digestive enzymes (notably proteases) that persist in their feces and are major inducers of allergic reactions such as wheezing. Dust mites survive well in mattresses, carpets, furniture and bedding, with figures around 100-500 animals/g dust. Beds are a prime habitat (where ⅓ of life occurs).

The stagnant air trapped within the mattress is an ideal habitat for mites. There are many more dust mites dwelling within the mattress than there are dwelling on the surface, or between the layers of foam.

Any and all movement taking place on a mattress releases a proteases cloud. A cloud of degenerated dead skin, dead mites, mite feces, and dust which spreads out into the air around the mattress where it can be inhaled by humans. Over the years, our lungs become saturated by dust mite feces, which leads to allergies, breathing problems, intolerances, and unrest full sleep.

Current recommendations for overcoming this problem focus on dust control. Vacuuming the mattresses every few weeks may contribute to control the dust mite population, by removing dead skin cells and dust mite feces, using a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter for example.

Passing a vacuum on the surface of the mattress does not resolve the issue of internal allergens and dust mites. The surface of a mattress is lined with foam and felt, leaving little and sometimes no space for the dust mites to breed.

There is still a need in the art for a mattress cleaning method and system.

The present description refers to a number of documents, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a mattress cleaning and venting system, comprising at least one first inlet positioned on a side wall of the mattress; at least one first tube inserted within the mattress, the first tube having an open end, the open end being connected to the first inlet; the first tube comprising holes along a length thereof between the open connected to the first inlet end and an opposed end thereof within the mattress; wherein the first inlet is adapted for connection to one of a suction unit and a blowing unit.

There is further provided a method for cleaning and venting a mattress, comprising inserting at least one first inlet on a side wall of the mattress; inserting at least one first tube having an open end and comprising holes along a length thereof between the open end connected to the first inlet end and an opposed end within the mattress; connecting the open end of the first tube to the first inlet; and connecting one of a suction unit and a blowing unit to the first inlet.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a system according to another embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a system according to another embodiment of an aspect of the present invention; and

FIGS. 4 show a) a diagrammatic top view, and b) a diagrammatic side view of a system according to another embodiment of an aspect of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is illustrated in further details by the following non-limiting examples.

FIG. 1 shows a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, in the case of spring mattress cores made of Bonnell springs for example. Bonnell springs are knotted, round-top, hourglass-shaped steel wire coils. When laced together with cross wire helicals, these coils form an innerspring unit referred to as a Bonnell unit.

In FIG. 1, only a few Bonnell springs 12 are shown, for clarity. In practice, the whole surface of the innerspring, as shown without cushioning materials in top view in FIG. 1, may be covered with such Bonnell springs 12.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a tube 16 is inserted between two adjacent rows of springs, snapped into position at the narrowing of the hourglass shape of the springs for example, or by tying it with a wire or a tie wrap for example, along the perimeter of the mattress in FIG. 1. The tube 16 comprises suction holes 20, 24, 28, 30 along its length, for suction of particulate matter from within the unit, using a suction unit (not shown), such as a standard portable household vacuum cleaner or a central vacuum cleaner, plugged to an inlet such as a universal vacuum entrance valve 34 provided on the casing of the unit. Holes of an increasing size from the suction end at the valve 34 to the distal end 40 of the tube 16 may be provided so as to maintain sufficient suction power along the whole length of the tube 16.

FIG. 2 shows a system according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, in the case of a foam encased pocket coil mattress for example. In this case, the outside perimeter of the mattress is encased with a foam border 16 and each coil 50 within the foam border is encased within a fabric encasement. In FIG. 2, only a few encased springs 50 are shown, for clarity. In practice, the whole surface of the innerspring, as shown without cushioning materials in top view in FIG. 2, is covered with such encased springs 12.

In FIG. 2, a tube 16 is inserted within the unit, for example between the foam casing 54 of the unit and a first row of encased springs 50, tied to the encased springs with a wire or a tie wrap for example. The tube 16, as described hereinabove in relation to FIG. 1, comprises suction holes for sucking out air charged with particles from within the unit using a vacuum cleaner connected at a valve 34. The tube 16 may also be positioned further away from the foam casing, between rows of encased casings.

Depending on the size of the mattress, more than one tube may be inserted, each one extending from a valve provided in the casing, allowing suction of dust within the mattress by connecting a vacuum cleaner at the corresponding valve for example. The layout and length of the tube or tubes within the unit may also be adjusted according to a requested suction force and size of the mattress.

Providing a tube generally around the perimeter of the unit as illustrated for example in FIGS. 1 and 2 may create an air vortex for increased suction and air moving efficiency within the unit. The air vortex creates a circular force that lifts dust mites, dust mite feces, dead skin and dust. Since all of this detritus and proteases are in dust form, the increased air flow within the mattress caused by the suction force of the vacuum will cause this matter to be lifted, moved around, and sucked out. Moreover, the displacement of air taking place within the mattress ventilates the inside of the mattress. This air movement causes the humidity levels within the mattress to drop, thereby reducing moisture and dampness within the mattress, thereby making the entire mattress less suitable for dust mites.

Also, if the humidity levels drop, the occurrence of mold spots within the mattress diminishes. Mold can form within a mattress for a number of reasons: mattress gets wet, sweating on mattress, humidity levels both outdoors and indoors, condensation caused by body heat etc. Mold formation with the mattress is dangerous for a number of reasons.

The tube may be coated with a cushioning material, such as felt, a thin foam coating or a thin Styrofoam™ coating for example, so as to prevent noise due to friction with the neighboring coils. The tube may be made of a series of connected tubes. The tube may also be a flexible tube.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 of a double, queen or king mattress for example, in case of spring mattress cores made of Bonnell springs or a foam encased pocket coil mattress, only a few Bonnell springs 12/ pocket coil springs 50 are shown, for clarity. A first tube 16 a with a hose-cuff inlet 44 a is inserted between two adjacent rows of springs on a first side of the mattress where a first sleeping person may be usually laying, and a second tube 16 b with a hose-cuff inlet 44 b is inserted between two adjacent rows of springs (not shown in FIG. 3 for clarity) on a second side of the mattress where a second sleeping person may be usually laying, the hose-cuff inlets 44 a and 44 b being place of either side of the mattress, along the side band. The free end 17 a, 17 b of each tube 16 a, 16 b is closed by an end cap 18 a, 18 b and sealed air tight.

Each tube 16 a, 16 b comprises holes along its length, for example, in case of a tube of 1¼″ in diameter, ⅜″ diameter holes drilled every 12″ within the flex-tubes 16 a, 16 b, on top surface of each tube 16 a, 16 b (see holes 200 in FIG. 3) facing the top of the mattress, directly under where a laying person's body would be positioned, so that the suction occurring through these holes cleans the felt, foam, and cotton situated directly above it. Most detritus and dead skin rests in the top part of the mattress. They stay trapped between the fabric of the mattress and the first layer that is placed on the coil springs, usually a polyester felt liner. By hitting the top of the mattress, with one's hand for example, the trapped dead skin and detritus are dislodged, and can thus be effectively sucked out through the flex-tubes.

Holes on a bottom surface of each tube 16 a, 16 b (not seen in FIG. 3) may also be provided, for example ⅜″ diameter holes drilled every 20″ within the flex tube facing the bottom of the mattress, to allow suction toward the bottom of the mattress to suck any dust that has fallen to the bottom of the mattress.

In case of a single bed mattress, only one tube 16 a or 16 b may be placed directly in the center of the mattress, where a sleeping person's body would generally be positioned.

It should be noted that the action of suction also serves to refresh the inside of the mattress. The change of air that takes place within the mattress during suction creates an inhospitable environment for dust-mites and bed bugs alike; two species that favor and thrive in a damp and humid environment. This factor, according to bacterial and viral scientists, is a key factor in the success and primary function of the mattress vacuum: if the suction is applied from the very beginning, thereby also keeping the air fresh, dust mites will not form due to an inhospitable environment and lack of dead skin.

Alternatively, it could be contemplated providing a first tube with a closed free end for sucking air/dust out as described hereinabove, and a second tube comprising blowing holes along a length thereof with an end connected, through an inlet, to a blowing unit, such as a Shop Vac™ blower or a compressor for example, for blowing air from the outside into the mattress, thereby dislodging particles, which could be sucked out by the first tube. Either a same inlet is used, and then, blowing and sucking out are done in sequence, or the mattress may be providing with two inlets, one for each of the sucking tune and the blowing tube, so that the blowing and sucking action can be done simultaneously. The blowing tube may have its end opposite the end connected to the inlet closed or open.

In case of a foam mattress, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 4, a hole is cut into the foam where the flex tube needs to be inserted, and the flex tube (see 16 a and 16 b in FIG. 4 a) is simply inserted into the hole. An additional foam may then be glued over the foam base housing the flex tube, itself situated on the surface of the base foam, so that a laying person wouldn't feel the flex-tube while sleeping. Such additional foam may be a hard foam or a soft foam or a memory foam for example.

Vacuum flex-tubes, as standardly used in the vacuum industry, may be used. They are flexible and can thus be placed anywhere within the mattress. It was found that such tubes, typically of 1¼″ in diameter, fit perfectly within rows of coil springs. They may be tied to the springs using a plastic tie wrap for example, to insure they do not move. Moreover, such tubes are rubber coated on the outside, which prevents any noise that can occur when the steel coils and the flex-tube rub against each other.

The tube or tubes are inserted within the unit so as not to hamper the bed feeling. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, since the tubes are inserted within the narrowest part of the Bonnel springs hourglass center, the springs primary function is not hampered.

The flex tube within the mattress is connected to a hose-cuff, i.e. the inlet valve in which a vacuum cleaner is inserted, by screwing the tube into the hose cuff for example. A protruding portion outside of the flex tube is made to screw into the hose cuff. The connection of the hose cuff and flex tube is air tight, essential for suction. The hose cuff is placed on the side of the mattress, the 1¼″ hole will protrude from the side of the mattress by approximately ½″. The hose cuff may be held in place by steel hooks fastened to the hose cuff on a first end thereof and fastened to the spring coils on a second end thereof. Additional fasteners can be added to an edge wire steel that contours both sides of the spring system. The hose cuff may also be held in place with a foam block made to fit with two rows of coils and provided with a 1¼″ hole in which the hose cuff can be inserted. Such block makes the hose cuff inlet more solid.

For using the system, it suffices to plug a vacuum cleaner to the valve/hose cuff provided in the casing of the mattress, thereby activating suction of air from within the mattress through the holes in the tube therein. Besides sucking out dust and feces, air movement within the mattress is thus also created, which allows venting the inside of the mattress. Beating the mattress may increase efficiency by disloging particulate matter, by causing the particle matter adhered to the inner bottom surface of the mattress to become unattached: once unattached, the particle matter becomes trapped within the air vortex and sucked out.

The middle section of any spring mattress is empty. Most North American coil springs are between 6 and 8 inches high, this leaves between 6 and 8 inches of air within the mattress where dust mites can breed, feed and reside. Stagnant air is also humid, and humidity within the mattress creates a favorable habitat for dust mites. The present method and system thus provides an efficient way to clean and vent the inside of spring mattresses.

The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. 

1. A mattress cleaning and venting system, comprising: at least one first inlet positioned on a side wall of the mattress; at least one first tube inserted within the mattress, said first tube having an open end, said open end being connected to said first inlet; said first tube comprising holes along a length thereof between said open connected to said first inlet end and an opposed end thereof within the mattress; wherein said first inlet is adapted for connection to one of a suction unit and a blowing unit.
 2. The system of claim 1, for a spring mattress, wherein said first tube is inserted between adjacent rows of springs within said mattress.
 3. The system of claim 1, for a spring mattress, wherein said first tube is inserted between adjacent rows of springs within said mattress, said first tube being snapped into position at a narrowing of the shape of the springs.
 4. The system of claim 1, for a spring mattress, wherein said first tube is tied to the springs within said mattress using a wire or tie wrap.
 5. The system of claim 1, for a foam encased pocket coil mattress, wherein said first tube is inserted between a foam casing of the mattress and a first row of encased springs around an outside perimeter of the mattress.
 6. The system of claim 1, for a foam encased pocket coil mattress, wherein said first tube is tied to the springs using a wire or tie wrap.
 7. The system of claim 1, for a foam mattress, wherein said first tube is inserted within the mattress through a hole cut inside the mattress.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tube is inserted within the mattress, with its open end connected to the first inlet, and its length running within the mattress at a position corresponding to a laying person's body.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tube is inserted within the mattress, with its open end connected to the first inlet, and its length running along a perimeter of the mattress.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tube is a vacuum flex-first tube.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tube is coated with a cushioning material.
 12. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tube comprises holes at least on a wall thereof facing the top of the mattress.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tube comprises holes on a wall thereof facing the top of the mattress and on a wall thereof facing the bottom of the mattress.
 14. The system of claim 1, wherein said first tube comprises holes of an increasing size from the open end at the first inlet to the closed end thereof.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said first inlet is adapted for connection to a suction unit, said first tube having a close end opposite said open end connected to said first inlet, said system further comprising: at least one second inlet positioned on a side wall of the mattress; at least one second tube inserted within the mattress; said second tube comprising holes along a length thereof between an open connected to said second inlet end and an opposed end within the mattress; wherein said second inlet is adapted for connection to a blowing unit.
 16. A method for cleaning and venting a mattress, comprising inserting at least one first inlet on a side wall of the mattress; inserting at least one first tube having an open end and comprising holes along a length thereof between the open end connected to the first inlet end and an opposed end within the mattress; connecting the open end of the first tube to the first inlet; and connecting one of a suction unit and a blowing unit to the first inlet.
 17. The method of claim 16, for a spring mattress, wherein said inserting the first tube comprises inserting the first tube between adjacent rows of springs within the mattress.
 18. The method of claim 16, for a spring mattress, wherein said inserting the first tube comprises inserting the first tube between adjacent rows of springs within the mattress and snapping the first tube into position at a narrowing of the shape of the springs.
 19. The method of claim 16, for a spring mattress, wherein said inserting the first tube comprises inserting the first tube between adjacent rows of springs within the mattress and tying the first tube to the springs.
 20. The method of claim 16, for a foam encased pocket coil mattress, wherein said inserting the first tube comprises inserting the first tube between a foam casing of the mattress and a first row of encased springs within the mattress around an outside perimeter of the mattress.
 21. The method of claim 16, for a foam mattress, wherein said inserting the first tube comprises cutting a hole within the foam mattress and inserting the first tube within the hole.
 22. The method of claim 16, wherein said inserting the first tube comprises inserting the first tube with its open end connected to the first inlet, and its length running within the mattress at a position corresponding to a laying person's body.
 23. The method of claim 16, wherein said inserting the first tube comprises inserting the first tube with its open end connected to the first inlet, and its length running along a perimeter of the mattress.
 24. The method of claim 16, comprising alternatively a suction unit and a blower unit to the first inlet.
 25. The method of claim 16, comprising connecting a suction unit to the first inlet, further comprising inserting at least one second inlet on a side wall of the mattress; inserting at least one second tube comprising holes along a length thereof within the mattress; connecting an open end of the second tube to the second inlet; and connecting a blowing unit to the second inlet. 